2015 MOCK DRAFT

1) Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jameis Winston, QB. FSU

From my first mock to my last, this pick has stayed the same. He is a gunslinger of a QB, and that is exactly what Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson will want. They could take Mariota, but he doesn’t fit in their system, and they could take a defensive player, but none will help them get into the playoffs more than a good QB will. If they want the safest bet at QB, Winston is probably it.

2) Tennessee Titans – Marcus Mariota, QB. Oregon

Reports are all over the place in terms of a) where Mariota goes, and b) who Tennessee takes. However, I am still inclined to think that this will be the pick. Mariota needs time, as his game just doesn’t suit the NFL, but the Titans utilise a relatively simple offense which could be learned fairly easily by Mariota. His high football IQ and intelligence should be seen as reasons why he can break the ‘Mobile QB Busts’ trend. Whether Tennessee stay or trade this pick away, this is the most likely pick here, in my opinion.

3) Jacksonville Jaguars – Dante Fowler, LEO. Florida

This might be the hardest pick to call in the entire draft. I’m split four ways between Amari Cooper, Vic Beasley, Leonard Williams, and Fowler, and there isn’t much separating all of them. The only reason I went with Fowler is due to the need at the position, and Fowler being slightly better value than Beasley here. The ex-Gator is a tenacious pass rusher who Gus Bradley will love.

4) Oakland Raiders – Leonard Williams, DL. USC

Again, this was another tough pick. Amari Cooper will have to be a consideration here, but I wonder if Michael Crabtree signing means that need can be put off until the second round. Williams is the best player in this draft class, in my opinion, and wants to play for the Raiders. Could Oakland take the best player in the class for the second year in a row?

5) Washington Redskins – Vic Beasley, Edge. Clemson

Something tells me that this pick will be one of Beasley, Dante Fowler, or Leonard Williams. Two of them are off the board, so the ex-Tiger is the selection. With Trent Murphy, Ryan Kerrigan, and little else at edge rusher, Washington can bolster with an athletic, high-upside player here. Beasley is explosive, and won’t need to start early.

6) New York Jets – Alvin Dupree, Edge. Kentucky

I truly have no idea who to mock here. They probably hope that one of Fowler or Beasley lasts this long, but Dupree might be an option also. He fits extremely well as a 3-4 outside linebacker, and if the Jets can find a quality edge pass rusher, their defense suddenly becomes quite scary.

7) Chicago Bears – Kevin White, WR. West Virginia

Chicago hit the jackpot here. After trading away Brandon Marshall, they replace him with a younger, cheaper version. White deserves to be a top-5 pick, but if he falls here, this should be an easy pick. He can start early in his career, and has traits that could very well turn him into an exceptional NFL player. Jay Cutler gets more weapons at his disposal.

8) Atlanta Falcons – Todd Gurley, RB. Georgia

Atlanta are another hard team to pick for, and they haven’t shown their hand at all during this draft season. Therefore, I made this pick simple. After losing Steven Jackson, the Falcons get the best running back in this class. He may even start day 1!

9) New York Giants – Andrus Peat, OT. Stanford

This is purely based on rumours that are going around. Justin Pugh has been ok at offensive tackle, but he would even better at guard. With just this move alone, NYG’s offensive line would become Beatty-Schwartz-Richburg-Pugh-Peat. That looks pretty good on the face of it, and Peat has potential to be a left tackle also in the future.

10) St Louis Rams – Brandon Scherff, OG. Iowa

The Rams don’t have too many needs, but offensive line is one of them. Second year Greg Robinson probably becomes the franchise LT now, but who takes his spot at guard? Well how about the best guard in this draft class. Scherff is pro-ready and should be the starter from the moment the pick is turned in.

11) Minnesota Vikings – Trae Waynes, CB. Michigan State

I’ve said before and I’ll say again, Waynes is the best CB in this class, and he is better than anything from last year also. Waynes isn’t just a workout warrior, he can really play also. Waynes can play opposite Xavier Rhodes and they can form a dynamic duo on the outside.

12) Cleveland Browns – Danny Shelton, NT. Washington

Cleveland apparently really like Shelton. He could transform their run defense, and start early in his career, for a long time. Shelton is a space-eater who can also make plays away from the LOS.

13) New Orleans Saints – Kevin Johnson, CB. Wake Forest

The Rams don’t have too many needs, but offensive line is one of them. Second year Greg Robinson probably becomes the franchise LT now, but who takes his spot at guard? Well how about the best guard in this draft class. Scherff is pro-ready and should be the starter from the moment the pick is turned in.

14) Miami Dolphins – DeVante Parker, WR. Louisville

Parker would complete the revamp of the Dolphins receiving corps, and form a formidable group with Jarvis Landry, Kenny Stills, and Jordan Cameron. He is a good route runner, and has the traits to succeed early in his career.

15) San Francisco 49ers – Arik Armstead, 3-4 DE. Oregon

Another pick which seems too talked about to be true. Armstead has huge potential, and fills a need for the 49ers. He still has a lot of learning to do on the field, but this is the sort of pick that the new era in San Francisco can be remembered for.

16) Houston Texans – Dorial Green-Beckham, WR. Missouri

DGB is the most polarising prospect in this draft class. Top-10 talent on the field, undraftable off of it. If a team with a solid locker room can get him though (like Houston), he has all-world potential. Maybe I’m completely off with this pick though.

17) San Diego Chargers – Melvin Gordon, RB. Wisconsin

Todd Gurley would be the ideal here, I would imagine. However, Gordon isn’t a bad consolation prize. He has the wiggle and vision to be an immediate producer in the NFL, and San Diego have a desparate need in the backfield.

18) Kansas City Chiefs – Nelson Agholor, WR. USC

My very first mock draft back in January had this pick, and now we have come full circle. Alex Smith needs a WR who can take the short pass and create yards with ball in hand. That describes Agholor, my #10 overall player in this class, perfectly.

19) Cleveland Browns (from Buffalo Bills) – Breshad Perriman, WR. UCF

Perriman’s detractors would laugh at this pick, but Cleveland need a true ‘X’ receiver, and that’s what they get here. Perriman has the wheels to take the top off a defense, and underrated hands. If he can get proper coaching, he has potential to replace Josh Gordon’s on-field ability.

20) Philadelphia Eagles – Byron Jones, CB. UConn

Chip Kelly likes athleticism, he likes intangibles, and he likes intelligence. Byron Jones has an abundance in all three of those. Byron Maxwell wasn’t enough to revamp a poor Eagles secondary, so Jones would be a good pick here. He could also play safety if needed.

21) Cincinnati Bengals – Jake Fisher, OT. Oregon

The rumours about Fisher to Cincy seem to have too much smoke not to result in a fire. I’m not his biggest fan, but give him a year to hit the weight room and learn the game, and he should develop into a franchise left tackle.

22) Pittsburgh Steelers – Eric Rowe, DB. Utah

Like the Agholor-KC pick, Rowe to Pittsburgh was a match I had in my very first mock draft also. There isn’t much reasoning or evidence behind it other than need, but I’ve been banging this drum for long enough now.

23) Detroit Lions – Malcom Brown, DT. Texas

Detroit are a tough team to mock for. One of the top running backs would be a possibility if available, but Detroit go with a prospect who can help to mask the loss of Suh and Nick Fairley. Brown has great size as well as being quick-twitch enough to bring pressure in the passing game.

24) Arizona Cardinals – Randy Gregory, Edge. Nebraska

Gregory’s fall stops in Arizona. The scheme and situations should both be good for him. Tyrann Mathieu was drafted there in 2013, and hasn’t had issues since. The Cardinals will hope for the same with Gregory.

25) Carolina Panthers – TJ Clemmings, OT. Pitt

Carolina signed Michael Oher and Jonathan Martin in free agency, so their OT situation is still far from sorted. Clemmings is an athletic mover, who should battle for the LT spot immediately, but can play RT in year 1 if beaten out.

26) Baltimore Ravens – Marcus Peters, CB. Washington

One of the most talented players in this class, but ravaged by off-the-field concerns. Even so, Baltimore aren’t afraid of these type of players, and he can contribute early.

27) Dallas Cowboys – Bernardrick McKinney, LB. Mississippi State

I could be completely off here, but Dallas have shown a whole lot of interest in McKinney. He was one of their 30 visits, and I believe that they worked him out twice also (once as a defensive lineman!). He may not be their ideal scenario, but he could start immediately at SAM linebacker for them, and then put his hand in the dirt on obvious passing downs. The Cowboys don’t tend to smokescreen too much, so this could be a very real possibility.

28) Denver Broncos – Cameron Erving, C. Florida State

This pick should address either line, whether offensive or defensive. Erving is an extremely versatile offensive lineman who could start virtually anywhere for them. They have shown interest also, so this pick makes a lot of sense.

29) Indianapolis Colts – Damarious Randall, FS. Arizona State

When I scouted Randall, I gave him a third round grade, and thought that I was high on him. Since then, his stock has sky-rocketed, and he could go even earlier than this. More of a cover safety, especially early in his career, but has center-fielder potential.

30) Green Bay Packers – Eric Kendricks, LB. UCLA

Kendricks has to be the ideal pick here. GB need an inside linebacker, and they get the best in the class. He can cover, tackle, and has the instincts to be a day 1 contributor. He’d also be my early favourite for DROY.

31) New Orleans Saints (from Seahawks) – Bryce Petty, QB. Baylor

This would be a horrible pick in my eyes, but my eyes aren’t GMing the Saints. The crucial thing here is the fifth-year option. Drew Bress may only have one year left in New Orleans, so if NO see Petty as their future franchise QB, go and get him, I guess.

32) New England Patriots – Jordan Phillips, NT. Oklahoma

New England lost their cornerstone nose tackle this offseason, in Vince Wilfork. Phillips is a young, big, athletic man who New England should be intrigued about. For what it’s worth, I doubt the Patriots stay in this spot, but if they do, the ex-Sooner could be the pick.